Drax to convert first unit to biomass fuel from April

One of Europe’s largest power stations will produce more of its energy from biomass when it converts one of its units in April.

Drax, in North Yorkshire, said in its annual results that the conversion of its first unit to biomass from coal will be complete in April with a second to follow in 2014. It aims to have three of its six power generating units converted from coal eventually with this process completed by 2016.

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The company said that its key suppliers would be enviva, Green Circle BioEnergy, Pinnacle Renewable Energy Group and Plum Creek, although it would also be taking biomass from other suppliers.

Chief executive Dorothy Thompson said that with the Renewable Obligation Scheme subsidy now confirmed by Government, this has enabled Drax to move away from co-firing biomass as it does currently, to developing fully biomass-powered units.

She added: “After ten years developing significant knowledge and experience in all aspects of using sustainable biomass in place of coal at our power station, we now have the mandate, means and expertise to transform the business into a predominantly biomass-fuelled generator.”